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Nathan Buckley given perfect ending by Collingwood Magpies with win against Melbourne Demons

Adrian WarrenAAP
VideoNathan Buckley's men beat ladder leaders Melbourne in his final game as Collingwood coach.

Collingwood have delivered the perfect farewell gift to departing coach Nathan Buckley with a rousting 17-point win over AFL ladder leaders Melbourne at the SCG.

Down by four points at quarter-time, Collingwood led by 16 points and five points at halftime and three-quarter time respectively, before sealing the 11.14 (80) to 9.9 (63) win with three goals to one in the final term.

It was the Demons’ second loss and lowest score of the season but they could have no complaints.

Darcy Cameron, back on the ground where he made his AFL debut and played his only game for Sydney, kicked a career-high four goals for Collingwood - one in each quarter.

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Nathan Buckley.
Camera IconNathan Buckley. Credit: Matt King/via AFL Photos
Nathan Buckley celebrates victory with Brayden Maynard.
Camera IconNathan Buckley celebrates victory with Brayden Maynard. Credit: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via AFL Photos
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Brodie Mihocek added three majors but it was Collingwood’s tenacity around the ground and their determination at the contest that bustled Melbourne out of their stride.

Down back, Collingwood shackled most of Melbourne’s weapons with Isaac Quaynor keeping livewire forward Kysaiah Pickett goalless as young tall Luke Jackson was the only Demon to kick two goals.

The Pies looked up for the fight from the first bounce but both sides struggled to hit the scoreboard In the first quarter, Melbourne registering 2.2 to Collingwood’s 1.4.

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Collingwood kicked 5.4 to 2.2 in second quarter to lead by 16 at halftime and restricted Melbourne to 28 points, their lowest first half score of the campaign.

Jordan De Goey was one of the key drivers of the Pies’ second-quarter surge, setting up a couple of set shot goals for Mihocek with precise kicks into the forward 50 metres.

Prime movers Max Gawn and Christian Petracca injected some more urgency into the Demons, who kicked the first three goals of the third quarter.

Nathan Buckley celebrates victory with sons Ayce and Jett.
Camera IconNathan Buckley celebrates victory with sons Ayce and Jett. Credit: Matt King/via AFL Photos
Collingwood fans with a ‘Thanks Bucks’ sign.
Camera IconCollingwood fans with a ‘Thanks Bucks’ sign. Credit: Jason McCawley/AFL Photos/via AFL Photos

Gawn marked and goaled and set up Petracca before Bailey Fritsch added another as the Demons edged in front.

Collingwood steadied and kicked two of the last three goals in the quarter to lead by five points at the final change.

They maintained the momentum in the final quarter with goals to Cameron and captain Scott Pendlebury helping stretch the lead to 20 as Melbourne managed just one more major.

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